Ever been up against the wall?

Ever been up against the wall? That is when God can do His best work in our
lives. In Exodus 14:8 is says, The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king
of Egypt so that pursued the Israelites who were marching out boldly.

When the Israelites left Egypt they were confident that Moses had heard from
God and that they had been set free for all time. Once we come out of a
hard or trying situation we are always glad it is over and go on our way.
We enter into a state of calm and somehow believe that trouble will not pass
our way again. That is because we never want trials in our lives. We want
simple and carefree lives. How many of us actually review what has just
happened in our life and consult with the Father as to what He has taught us
as we have gone through our valley? You really should. In doing so you
will grow as a human being but more importantly in your walk with the
Father. I tell you again, and again that we are here for a purpose. And as
we grow in that purpose, God continually matures us through challenges and
strife. It is all very simple if you will take the time to review your
circumstances.

Have you ever know someone that just always struggles? They never get ahead
and often find themselves in the same circumstances again and again? It is
because they never see their worth in God's eyes. It is because they never
learn from their trials and mistakes. It is the same in school. If you did
not pay attention to the teacher when he or she was teaching, and you didn't
take notes or study, when it came time for the next test, you flunked. You
don't want to flunk with God. Unlike our schools today that will pass you
to the next grade with failing marks, God will not do this. You can waste
your entire life missing what God is trying to teach you to help you grow
and mature in Him and to complete the tasks that you were sent here to
accomplish. The Israelites were God's chosen people. They had been
enslaved for some 400 years. God set them free and He did not have them
leave Egypt empty handed. He had Moses persuade Pharaoh give them all the
gold and riches they could carry so that they could establish themselves in
the promised land. The Israelites left their captivity and all was well and
then God decided that a test was in order. They were overcome with joy at
their freedom and with their new found wealth. That is until they came to
the Red Sea and had no way to cross. Did they fall on their knees and pray
to the God of their freedom for another miracle? No. Instead they turned
on Moses in anger and fear and only thought of what they as humans could and
could not do. After all the miracles that God had performed right before
them in Egypt, they failed to see the power of God. And even when they saw
the Pharaoh's chariots coming after them and God parting the Red Sea itself
and the waters closing on Pharaoh's men after they were safe, they still did
not recognize God. The first time they ran out of water, they took to
whining again and struck out in anger at Moses. We read this and say, "Wow,
just how stupid can some people be?" Really? Take a look at your own life.
Are you trusting God one lesson at a time? Are you growing and praising God
for your new found wisdom and growth? Or is your life stuck in a rut of
complaining and anger toward God? Tomorrow when the "Pharaoh's chariots" of
your life come after you, try bending your knee instead of raising your fist
toward heaven. Seek the Father as to what lesson he is teaching you, and
ask Him for the strength to go through your trial and then praise Him for
the growth in your life. When you start doing this, you will advance both
in the world, but most importantly in the Kingdom of God.